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Social-emotional learning (SEL) is an important part of every high-quality afterschool program and SEL is particularly critical during times of high stress.
How can your afterschool program support SEL in a physically distanced or virtual program setting? The National Afterschool Association identified six research and practice-based perspectives for afterschool professionals, including focusing on building relationships, setting norms & rules, identifying the objective & adapting around it, preparing (and preparing and preparing!), using new opportunities, and leveraging the community to learn & improve.
Being intentional and thinking creatively about how to build and support positive relationships will help foster SEL skills in staff and students. The Search Institute recommends practical solutions like asking young people how they are feeling about the world, themselves, and the future and offering choices when possible.
While your afterschool program environment may look different this school year, effective SEL practices continue to be an essential part of every high-quality program. Afterschool across ND and the nation continues to adapt to best meet the needs of students.
Looking for more SEL resources? Contact the Network!
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Guidance on Virtual CLASS Observations
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Whether your afterschool program is operating in-person, online, or in a hybrid model, positive staff-student interactions continue to be an important part of creating a supportive learning environment and fostering positive student outcomes.
Teachstone recommends the continued use of CLASS to ensure the quality of classroom interactions and to support educators in their professional development. If in-person observations are not possible, video observation is an option that schools/programs may consider to reduce having an additional outside observer in the school setting. CLASS was validated for use in coding videotape of classrooms. Additionally, CLASS can be conducted in virtual classrooms.
Interested in learning more about CLASS or quality evaluation in your out-of-school time program? Contact the Network to learn more. |
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Lights on Afterschool: Oct. 22
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Join us on October 22 to reflect, celebrate, and call attention to the afterschool programs that are so critical to youth and families during the 21st annual Lights on Afterschool, hosted by Afterschool Alliance and celebrated across North Dakota and nationwide. We know it's been a hard year, and Lights On will look very different this year. We've got new ways for everyone to take part.
Registration is open! Even if you are not doing a typical event, we encourage you to register. There will be new offerings that all can take part in, no matter your circumstances or operating status.
Afterschool programs are rising to the moment to support youth & families during the pandemic - from innovative virtual programming to meals to caring for children of essential workers to wellbeing check-ins. We need to celebrate and recognize your efforts and call attention to the importance of afterschool supports as our nation moves ahead.
Here's what the Lights on team are planning:
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Kars4Kids Small Grant Program: Dedicated to supporting educational initiatives around the country, any 501(c)3 organization with a central focus on doing work on behalf of America's children is eligible to apply for grants ranging from $500-$2,000.
Good Sports Product Donations: School or community-based youth programs directly serving youth between the ages of 3-18 years old and are eligible to apply for product donations, including sport equipment, apparel, and footwear. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.
Justin J. Watt Foundation: After school programs serving students in 6th - 8th grades and have over 60% of students eligible for free/reduced lunches are eligible to apply for grants to receive sports uniforms and equipment.
Power of Youth Challenge: COVID-19 Response Grants: America's Promise Alliance has launched a new set of mini grants of $250 each as part of the Power of Youth Challenge. Young people (ages 13-18) across the U.S. can identify a need in their communities related to COVID-19 and apply for a grant to help them put a remote service project into action.
Strenghten ND: Working throughout central and western North Dakota, Strengthen ND focuses on building the capacity of nonprofit organizations, advancing regional issues, and facilitating community solutions. Technical assistance is available in the areas of board & staff development, fundraising planning, grant writing, strategic & organizational action planning, evaluation, and more.
BOOST Cafe Funding Opportunities: Comprehensive compilation of grants, scholarships, awards and contests for the out-of-school time field. Includes national and regional opportunities that can be searched by topic, award amount, and grade-level.
Funding and Sustainability: Afterschool Alliance offers funding tools including sponsorship tips, connecting with businesses in your community, in-kind donations & partnerships, expert funding advice and a funding database.
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We are partnering with Girls Who Code to bring free computer science opportunities to girls across our state. Girls Who Code Clubs are FREE and flexible computer science programs for 3rd-12th grade students to learn how to make a positive impact on the world through computer science.
When you sign up to start an in-person or virtual Club, you'll gain access to the following--all for free!
- Online Training & Ongoing Support
- Customizable Meeting Guides
- 120+ Hours of Plug & Play, Project-based Curriculum
- Exclusive Virtual Events
Plus, NO coding experience is required to start a Girls Who Code Club.
Apply here today! Be sure to indicate the North Dakota Afterschool Network on your Clubs Application in order to receive partnership benefits. You can reach out to clubs@girlswhocode.com with any questions.
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Upcoming Trainings & Events
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The ND Afterschool Network is proud to be a part of the Million Girls Moonshot initiative, working to inspire and prepare the next generation of innovators by engaging one million more girls in STEM learning opportunities through afterschool programs over the next five years. See below for an event that can help advance this goal!
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CASEL Cares Weekly Webinars
Every Friday | Webinar
CASEL is offering free webinars every Friday to address how SEL can be most helpful in response to today's circumstances. Find upcoming webinars and past recordings.
Bringing Students and STEM Professionals Together: 21CCLC Collaboration with NASA & IMLS
September 10 | Webinar
Join You for Youth (Y4Y), along with representatives from NASA and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to learn about real-world problem-based projects, strategies, and best practices for delivering virtual STEM activities, and how to access and customize free curriculum & project ideas for your students. Register here.
STEMIE Fest: Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education
September 14 - 18 | Virtual
Join STEM and inclusion experts to learn about evidence-based practices in STEM and inclusion of young children with disabilities, excite families, practitioners, and young children in exploring, making, and tinkering through a MakerFest, discover STEM-focused books through Storybook Conversations, see early STEM videos and games from museums, researchers, and other organizations through Media Cubbies. The event includes a variety of live and asynchronous interactions and learning opportunities and free explorations. Registration is free.
Registration Closes Sept 8: Afterschool Quality Coaching Book Study
September 16 - October 21 | Virtual
Developed for program supervisors who support staff working directly with students in out-of-school time settings, this 6-week book study will include weekly reading assignments, discussions and action assignments to build the collective knowledge based on coaching topics related to afterschool settings. Register here.
Million Girls Moonshot Engineering Practice
September 22 - November 10 | Three-webinar series
Interested in developing professional development focused on engineering mindset in youth? Wondering how to do this in equitable ways that encourage engagement & participation of girls and other underrepresented youth? For program staff, directors, STEM specialists, and line staff. Registration:
NEW DATE! Cultivating an Engineering Mindset
October 7 | Webinar
Join Gateway to Science and engineers from Bartlett & West engineering firm (Bismarck, ND) as we explore strategies to introduce the engineering mindset into the learning process. We will use a simple hands-on activity to demonstrate the engineering design process. Participants will gain an understanding of how they can incorporate this process into an afterschool setting to encourage children of all ages to develop their "engineering mindset." Free of charge through the ND Afterschool Network & grant funding from the Million Girls Moonshot Initiative. Register here.
2020 SEL Exchange Virtual Summit
October 15 | Virtual
Hosted by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), this summit is the nation's largest convening on SEL. This unique & timely opportunity is for those committed to creating caring, productive, and equitable schools & communities that develop the whole child & ensure that all students can thrive. Find registration and more information here.
Lights on Afterschool
October 22
Join the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, ND Afterschool Network encourages all out-of-school time programs to sign-up and participate in this celebration, through special activities or events, contacting local policymakers, or sharing the success of your program on social media. Find more ideas and sign-up to receive updates.
Save the Date! 2021 ND Out-of-School Time Conference
June 29 - 30
Registration to open spring 2021.
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Find additional virtual professional development on-demand at:
You for Youth - Contracted provider for the U.S. Department of Education and available as a free service to all out-of-school time programs.
Afterschool Alliance - National partner providing professional development and resources for the afterschool field.
National AfterSchool Association - National partner membership organization for professionals who work with children and youth in diverse school & community-based settings. Find resources, training, quality standards and core competencies.
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Our Vision
The ND Afterschool Network promotes access to high-quality, safe, and affordable out-of-school time programming that supports positive academic and social outcomes for youth PreK-12 across North Dakota.
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Kristin Knorr
ND Afterschool Network Lead
701-446-3195
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